Ear cleaner



l a 6 m 9, mm m w T 5 2 1K VA N A A Du F F L DAVIS EAR CLEANER Filed June 10, 1948 FIG. 2.

June 13, 1950 FIG. I.

Patented June 13, 1959 warren STATES @FFICE 1 Claim. 1

The invention here disclosed relates to devices for washing and cleaning the ears.

Objects of the invention are to provide a device for these purposes which will be incapable of injurin the ears even in the hands of an unskilled operator.

Particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive form of construction which will effectively reach the cavities and crevices in the ear for all general cleaning purposes and of such a form that it may safely be used by any ordinary individual.

Other desirable objects and the novel features through which the purposes of the invention are attained are set forth or will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrates a present practical embodiment of the invention. It is realized, however, that structure may be modified and changed in some respects, all within the true intent and broad scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Fig. 1 in the drawing is an elevation of the stem or handle portion of the article;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the complete device;

Fig. 3 is a side view showing the article as in actual use.

The stem of the device, as shown particularly in Fig. 1, may be of convenient handle proportions and made up, for example, of a relatively stiif finger grip portion 5 and a tapering flexible shank 6 ending in an angularly turned, short tapered tip I.

The complete handle may be in one piece, formed of flexible, resilient plastic so that it may bend and yield to avoid application of any excess pressure.

The rounded and angularly extended tip 1 forms a blunt end on the shank of the instrument too large to enter the auditory canal and the angularly extended tip itself is preferably of less length than the canal so that it will not reach the tympanum even if incorrectly used.

Figs. 2 and 3 show how the blnnt, angularly extended end of the shank is entirely covered and encased in a surrounding pad 8 of some soft, elastic, porous material having good cleansing and scrubbing qualities, such as sponge or foam rubber.

This pad is shown extended longitudinally in the direction of the angularly projecting tip 1 and as tapered to relatively small diameter at one end at 9, to readily enter the auditoiy canal and as having a blunt, rounded opposite end In for scrubbing operations within the folds and convolutions of the outer ear.

The rounded and tapered yielding angular entension l gives the tip portion of the surrounding foam rubber suflicient body and strength to enter the canal portion of the ear for all proper cleaning and scrubbing purposes but is of such length and so yieldable that no possible injury can be done the ear even if used in a careless or too forceful manner.

The rubber pad is entirely sealed about the angular tip so as to be practically an integral part of the handle. The whole device can be washed and sterilized and thus easily kept clean and sanitary.

The handle may be molded or otherwise formed in one piece of flexible plastic and the pad or cushion 8 may be simply an elongated, egg shaped piece of porous rubber, molded or shaped with an internal cavity enabling it to be slipped or forced over the angularly extended end of the handle and be permanently united therewith by a suitable plastic cement or the like. This pad or cushion being extended longitudinally in opposite directions, transversely to the stem, may be effectively used as a swab to be turned around in the outer ear for reaching in under the outer folds of the ear. The stem may be substantially straight or be bowed or curved or otherwise shaped for convenience in handling and reaching into the ear.

The device can be produced at low cost and made up as an attractive but inexpensive toilet accessory, convenient for bathroom use.

What is claimed is:

An ear cleaning implement comprising an elongated, one-piece, flexible, bendable handle having an integral, angularly projecting, tapered extension at one end and an elongated, oppositely tapered pad of sponge rubber engaged over said angularly projecting extension and over the end portion of the handle carrying said extension, said elongated pad projecting substantially transversely to looth sides of the handle and thereby usable at both ends and affording protection against injury to the ear, whichever end is used.

FRANK L. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,693,581 Etling Nov. 27, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 496,865 France Nov. 19, 1919 

